Wasteland
Mar 20, 2008 MLB
That’s the best term I can use to describe the Giants’ farm system. And it’s why our opening day shortstop will be none other than Brian Bocock, a tiny 22-year old who hit .220 in A-ball last season (the highest level he’s played at) and is hitting .182 this spring.
This is going to be an ugly year.
Giants’ Old Fogies Going Down
Mar 3, 2008 MLB
- Omar Vizquel out at least 4 to 6 weeks with a knee injury
- Ray Durham isn’t playing the field in spring training games due to a shoulder problem
- Rich Aurilia’s hamstrings are keeping him from playing
And it doesn’t make me feel the least bit guilty that all three of these injures made me happy. This team is going to be bad, and what is the point of trotting these guys out there every day when the limited amount of young talent we do have could be playing instead? I can accept Vizquel for his defense (the young pitchers need him), but that’s it. I don’t care what you’re paying the other two, I don’t want to watch them.
And that’s the biggest problem with having them out there — hopelessness. They’re bad, and they aren’t going to be helpful in the future. Get them out of there.
Update: David Pinto puts some similar thoughts together:
Might the Giants end up with an infield of Ortmeier, Denker, Frandsen and Velez? If they can learn to play competent defense, I think the pitching staff would welcome the increased offense that group is likely to bring to the team.
Bittersweet
Feb 11, 2008 MLB
I love the start of baseball season — the promise of a fresh start, the roster decisions, the young guys who light up spring training, fantasy drafts — it’s all part of what makes baseball so great.
But my happiness is tempered a bit this season because of one inescapable truth — the San Francisco Giants are going to suck. And they are going to suck bad.
The lineup is pathetic, the bullpen is questionable, and there isn’t a lot in the way of young talent outside of the pitching staff. Still, there are some things worth paying attention to over the next month and a half:
- Is Kevin Frandsen the answer at third? Exactly how much did he “bulk up”? Is Sabean really interested in Joe Crede?
- Can Ortmeier provide any power at first base?
- Will Sabean find someone to take Dave Roberts?
- Who performs the best out of Schierholtz, Davis, and Lewis? Who gets sent down when the season begins?
- What, if any, changes have Cain and Lincecum made in the off-season?
- Will Zito rebound?
All of these questions will be answered in the context of the Giants being a terrible team, but at least there’s something interesting to focus on. I’ll also be making my first trip to San Francisco this summer and I couldn’t be any more excited about that.
